England women's captain faces reprimand over controversial photo from 2012

England Women’s cricket captain, Heather Knight, has been reprimanded and handed a £1000 suspended fine by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) over a photo from 2012 that showed her in blackface. The photo, taken during a themed fancy-dress party at a cricket club in Kent, was deemed to be "racist and discriminatory conduct," violating the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) directive 3.3, which prohibits actions that bring the game or players into disrepute.

Knight, who was 21 at the time, accepted the charges and apologized for her actions. In a statement, she expressed regret and explained that she was not aware of the implications of her actions back then. 

"I'm truly sorry for the mistake I made in 2012. It was wrong, and I have long regretted it. I simply was not as educated as to the implications and consequences of my actions as I have become since. There was no ill-intent meant," Knight said.

The CDC acknowledged that Knight did not share the photo herself and does not have control over its current or future circulation. While the Commission accepted that there was no intentional racism, they emphasized that the photo still harmed the reputation of cricket and the ECB’s efforts to combat discrimination.

Given that this is Knight’s first disciplinary issue, her cooperation, and her active role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the sport, the CDC chose a lenient punishment. The fine is suspended for two years, meaning it will only be enforced if Knight breaches conduct again within that period.

Interim Cricket Regulator Dave Lewis noted that while Knight’s actions were discriminatory, they were not intended to be racist. He praised her apology and commitment to using her platform for positive change.

 "Cricket is working to become a more inclusive sport and the Cricket Regulator is committed to acting positively and impartially whenever racist behaviour is reported to us.

"In this case, Ms Knight's behaviour was discriminatory and offensive, however the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) accepted there was no racist intent in her conduct. I welcome her acknowledgment of the potential impact of her behaviour, and her unreserved apology.

"In determining its sanction, the CDC also considered that the offence happened 12 years ago, that Ms Knight was 21 at the time, and that she had received little education on such matters at the time. There was significant testimony about the positive role model she has been, her voluntary work and the positive influence she has had on players from different ethnicities and backgrounds.I hope this will continue throughout her time in the sport."